ADRIAN — The time is the 1930s. A theatrical troupe reunites at the theater, now closed and run-down due to the Depression, at which it used to perform. The actors make their way inside, bring out some costumes and crates to serve as props, and put on a show in the back alleyway.

Such is director Erin Yuen’s and her creative team’s take on staging the Croswell Opera House’s production of the musical “Pippin,” the theater’s fourth all-area high school musical.

“We put our own stamp on it,” said Yuen. “This has been a true collaboration for me with my scenic designer and my choreographer and my costumer” — Doug Miller, Sarah Nowak and Emily Gifford, respectively. Yuen’s husband, Michael, is the show’s music director.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and students, and $5 for children, and are available by calling 264-7469; at the box office at 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian; or online at www.croswell.org.

The production features students from around Lenawee County and surrounding areas, including Derek Kastner as Leading Player, Kyle Krichbaum as Pippin, Bryan Gilbey as Charlemagne, Kyle Sell as Lewis, Candace Ostrander as Fastrada, Becca Nowak as Berthe, Jordyn Norkey as Catherine and David Bough as Theo.

“We’ve got the best of the best,” Yuen said, adding that these students are actively honing their skills through voice, dance and drama classes. “The kids make a lot of sacrifices to be here, and they want to perform. And it’s fun as a teacher to be able to teach the craft to them.”

“Pippin,” written by Stephen Schwartz, of “Wicked” and “Godspell” fame, and Roger Hirson, is a play-within-a-play, the story of which involves a boy prince seeking meaning in his life. The character of Pippin “is embarking on his journey of self-discovery and figuring out what to do with his life,” Yuen said. “It’s all about a discovery of ‘what do I find fulfilling in my life and what should I pursue?’ ”

Page 2 of 2 - As this quest unfolds in the “Pippin” storyline, some pretty anachronistic moments take place.

“The play-within-a-play takes liberties with time eras,” said Yuen. In the Croswell’s production, the time frames move from World War I to the modern day, which Yuen admitted poses the obvious question: Given that the production takes place in the 1930s, how could it possibly have moments set in current times?

“Well,” she said, laughing, “Pippin IS a visionary.”

“Pippin” opened on Broadway in 1972, directed and choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse.

“The show is a hit because of Bob Fosse’s mark on it,” said Yuen. “And while we’re not copying Fosse’s choreography, it’s in that style, and that makes the show work.”

The pop-score musical was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won five, including one for Ben Vereen as Leading Player. Making the Croswell’s production particularly timely, it was recently announced that the show is heading back to Broadway this spring.

Over the years since the musical was first staged, it has evolved into a version that is commonly done by high school students, and Yuen thinks the theme of the show has everything to do with that.

“It’s a journey (students) can all relate to, and seniors especially,” she said. “They’re getting ready to embark on that journey themselves.” And she and her cast have discussed this art-meets-life facet of the show: “We leave home at 18, and we go off to college and think ‘I’m going to major in this and do that,’ and then we find out that’s not what’s going to make us happy.”